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Nile Cruises
By Jimmy Dunn
The Triton, A very exclusive Nile Cruise Boat
This article is not meant to be a review of
specific cruise ships, though we have included pictures from boats
that range from fairly standard, to luxury. Over the coming months,
we will, however, attempt to provide specific reviews of Nile
Cruisers. In preparing to write this article on Nile River cruises,
I started out looking to see what I could find on river cruises
outside of Egypt. I knew, for example, that there were certainly a
few cruise ships that ply the Mississippi river in the US. And of
course, I found out that there are numerous river cruises around the
world, in places such as Europe, Russia, South American
and a few other places.
The Liberty is less exclusive than the Triton,
but very luxurious
I even expected, and sought out,
river cruises that might match the quality and sophistication of the
Nile Cruise lines, but alas, that was not to be. I did find
nostalgia riverboats boats on the Mississippi, barges in Europe, and
even a few more modern looking vessels elsewhere, but nothing to
match the Nile offerings. Of course, this is probably due to the
fact that Nile Cruises have been an uninterrupted tradition in Egypt
for hundreds of years, evolving and growing into a competitive,
sophisticated industry, with facilities reflecting this.
Of course, few other rivers can offer the scenery,
much less the antiquities of a Nile Cruise, and most other cruises
around the world are relatively simple and short in comparison.
Lobby Area within the Liberty
 Left:
Lobby of the Diamond Boat.
The Nile has always, and will probably always be a
travel corridor for Northern Africa. While the River itself flows to
the North, into the Mediterranean Sea, the prevailing winds along
the Nile are to the South. Therefore, for at least the last 5,000
years, the Nile has been a great route, with boats drifting North,
and raising their sails for the return trip upriver. And unlike many
other rivers, the population and building activities are all
concentrated along the Nile, as the land quickly becomes
inhospitable only a few miles east or west of it, for the most part.
So dominant is the river that the two ancient sections of Egypt are,
confusingly for most people, called Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
Upper Egypt is actually Southern Egypt, because it is "up
river", while Northern Egypt is Lower because it is down river.
Dinning Room Aboard the Diamond Boat
The fascination with Nile cruises is
understandable. Actually, it is not the best way to see as much of
Egypt as possible given a one or two week vacation, nor is it the
cheapest. Certainly some of the attraction is romance and the allure
created by writers such as Agatha Christie.
For some, it might be bragging rights, being able to tell friends
that they sailed up the Nile. For others, it may be the intimacy of
a tour group, and getting to know fellow travelers which the
confines of a boat trip creates.
For many, and particularly for those visitors to
Egypt taking a second cruise, viewing ancient Egypt in a highly
comfortable and relaxing manner must be the main pull of the Nile
Cruisers.
Lounge Area Aboard the Liberty
While these cruisers may sometimes resort to a
pharaonic design flavor, there is nothing nostalgic about most of
the accommodations. New and grander boats are being built all the
time, and overall, these are the best river boats in the world. This
is not to say that there are exceptions. Strangely, the river boats
one sees on the Nile range as much in quality as hotels in Egypt. So
while my references in this article are to mainline tourist boats,
beware that there are other, less desirable alternatives, and one
should always check out the boat that they are booked on. All of the
boats found in our Nile Cruiser section are mainline tourist boats,
and while there may be extensive differences in their luxury
accommodations, all of them are fine River Boats.
A suite on the Triton
And a more standard room on the Movenpick Radamis
Much of the rating of Nile River Cruisers comes
from the size of their cabins, and most average mainline tourist boats have
relatively small cabins compared to hotels. In fact, most average cruisers have
rooms no larger than
enough to hold one or two beds, a night stand and a
dresser, along with a small private bath. Rarely is there enough room for a
table and chairs, as one finds in most hotel rooms. Of course, people are really
not expected to spend too much time locked away in their cabin, and indeed,
these typical cruise boats have all manner of activities and pleasures to choose
from. Usually, there is a large bar and/or discotheque, along with a grand
restaurant, on board shopping and plenty of
activity on deck, including small to larger swimming pools, table tennis, and
lounging areas. And of course, there are the many stops for tours to the ancient
kingdom of Egypt.
Swimming Pool on the Movenpick Radamis
Nile Cruiser Tip: On most typical Tourist class
Nile Cruisers, it is best to inquire not only of the ship, but the
size and type of room you will be staying in, and its position in
the boat. Because of the close accommodations, it is best to avoid
rooms near the engine, or for that matter, over or beside a noisy
bar. Usually such rooms or areas are reserved for crewmembers, but
not always.
Piano Bar on the Triton
Beyond the range of typical main line Nile Cruise
ships one often finds opulence, and often this applies more to the
accommodations within a boat. Some boats, such as the M/S Triton
cater specifically and exclusively to the well appointed traveler
with nothing but suites throughout the ship, while other more
average boats will have both standard cabins and richly furnished
and large suites. This is not to say that there are no differences
between mainline tourist boats, but if one is willing to pay the
price, he or she is likely to find accommodations matching that of
any of the luxury hotels, with most of the same amenities.
Lounge on the Diamond Boat
Really, the bottom line is that many of the Nile
Cruise boats have accommodations, amenities and facilities which
more approach that of an ocean cruiser than a river boat. Its a
great way to see Egypt in comfort and style, with a considerable bit
of romance thrown in as a bonus.
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